Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21 § 21-48
License; records; definition.
Operative Text
The selectmen of any town, the chief of police of any city and the warden of any borough may grant licenses to suitable persons to be lodging house keepers and to carry on the business of renting rooms and beds for lodgings in such town, city or borough, respectively, and may revoke such licenses for cause. The persons so licensed, except charitable organizations and youth hostels, shall pay to the authority granting such license the sum of fifty dollars, for the use of such municipality. Each such license shall designate the place where such business is to be carried on and shall continue for one year unless sooner revoked. Each such lodging house keeper and each charitable organization and youth hostel shall keep a register, card-file or other suitable record-keeping system in which shall be written in the English language the names of all persons lodging from time to time in such house, which register, card-file or record-keeping system and lodging house shall at all times be subject to the inspection of the selectmen of the town or chief of police of the city or any person or persons designated by them or him, or of the warden of the borough or any person or persons designated by him; and failure to keep such register, card-file or record-keeping system or refusal to allow such register, card-file or record-keeping system or such lodging house to be inspected shall be sufficient cause for the revocation of any such license. The words “lodging house”, as herein used, mean only such houses as are patronized by roving or transient persons, to whom beds or rooms are furnished, and as contain accommodations for not fewer than five persons, or tourist camps wherein houses or cottages are rented by the day. Any person keeping or operating a lodging house without such a license shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21-48, Connecticut municipalities have the authority to license lodging house operators—defined as establishments serving transient guests with at least five beds or rooms, or daily-rental tourist camps. Licensed operators (other than charitable organizations and youth hostels) pay a $50 fee, must maintain a register of guests in English, and must allow local officials to inspect both the register and the premises. Operating without a license or refusing inspection can result in license revocation or a fine of up to $100.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21-48 requires lodging house operators to obtain a license from the appropriate local authority—selectmen in towns, the chief of police in cities, or the borough warden—and to renew it annually. Compliant operators maintain an up-to-date guest register (in English) and keep both the register and the premises open to official inspection at all times. Charitable organizations and youth hostels are exempt from the $50 licensing fee, though they remain subject to the recordkeeping and inspection requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21-48 establishes that lodging houses serving transient guests must be licensed and must maintain accessible guest records, which provides a baseline of regulatory oversight for people renting rooms or beds in such establishments. If a lodging house appears to be operating without a license or is not maintaining proper records, local officials—such as the chief of police or selectmen—have authority to inspect and, if warranted, revoke the operator's license. Individuals who believe a lodging house is out of compliance may contact their local municipal authority or a tenant-rights organization to understand what options are generally available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.